throw something in someone's face
The phrase is often used figuratively to describe confrontational or hurtful behavior, whether literal or metaphorical.
Definition
B2Interpersonal
(figurative, informal)To remind someone of a past mistake or transgression in a way that is meant to criticize or upset them.
Example
- She threw his past failures in his face during the argument.
B2Interpersonal
(figurative, informal)To reject someone's act of kindness or generosity in a spiteful manner.
Example
- After all the help he gave her, she threw it back in his face by ignoring him.
B2Interpersonal
(figurative, informal)To assert dominance or superiority over someone, often in a subtle or snide manner.
Example
- He threw his promotion in his colleague's face during the meeting.
B1Physical
(literal, informal)To throw an object directly at someone's face in an aggressive manner.
Example
- In a fit of rage, she threw her drink in his face.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "throw something in someone's face":
in someone's facein your faceslap in the facerub someone's nose inthrow inthrow someone a curvethrow aboutthrow to the dogsput someone in their placetell someone where to shove itthrow onthrow shadethrow downbeat one's facethrow the book atthrow dirt onin the face of